Children were rapping and parents were clapping at a live recording of the McLaurin Mass Choir Friday night. More that 250 of the school’s best second to sixth-grade vocalists participated in the recording.

&uot;The children have pride in this choir,&uot; said Daniel Blythe, choral conductor &uot;They know we are on a different level than other similar organizations in the area.&uot;

The students sang choir pieces and solos into a series of microphones set up in the McLaurin gym Friday as parents and family cheered and clapped.

&uot;I want it live,&uot;&160;said Montrell Greene, school administrator and music teacher.

&uot;This is the response we have at a PTO meeting or whenever our students sing,&uot; he said.

The staff formed the choir last fall as of way of encouraging students to do their best. And taping the live-recording is considered a part of that process.

&uot;It really drives kids to the top level of thinking,&uot; Greene said. &uot;We’re giving them (an) experience hopefully they’ll never forget.&uot;

Just the anticipation of the recording has had an impact on the students.

&uot;This has really cut down on my discipline problems,&uot; Blythe said. &uot;It’s a motivator.&uot;

Parents and businesses have also been very supportive, he added.

The project is funded by a $4,700 donation from the school’s PTO.

McLaurin used the money to purchase sound equipment and to hire Michael Barfield, of Aronte Enterprises, to record the choir.

This choir has performed at several events this year, including at the October Safe School Rally, the Christmas Extravaganza and the Black History Parade.

The recordings will be sold in throughout the community. Proceeds would go back to the PTO.

&uot;We know (these children) can be the best at something and we are pushing for them to have the chance at being the best,&uot; Blythe said. &uot;At this point we feel that yes, they have won!&uot;